Langley Pilots Return: Bittersweet Homecoming

April 09, 2003|By STEPHANIE HEINATZ Daily Press

LANGLEY AIR FORCE BASE — Even though the wind was ripping through the flight line at Langley Air Force base on Tuesday, pilots from the 94th Squadron of the 1st Fighter Wing had nothing to cover their heads -- not even hair.

"Before the war started we all shaved our heads," said Capt. Brad "Mute" Ertmer as dozens of airmen paraded past, teasing him about his new 'do. "We did it as a form of camaraderie."

But before the six pilots who came home Tuesday could do much to support the war with Iraq, they were sent home. They had been in Turkey patrolling the now-defunct northern no-fly zone over Iraq since December.

"Then the patrols were shut down March 17," said Langley spokesman Sgt. Mark Getsy.

Turkey had allowed combat planes to be based there for about 10 years. As a sign of their opposition to the war, Turkish officials have not allowed the U.S. to use the country as a base for combat operations.

About 50 airmen have returned so far, with another 30 set to come home this week.

According to Col. Stephen Miller, commander of the 1st Fighter Wing, this is the last group of F-15s to return from patrolling the no-fly zone.

"They were sent for Northern Watch, but they were prepared for Iraq," Miller said, watching the six planes taxi down the runway with a proud smile. "Now their mission is done and it was very successful."

"It would be nice to be part of the war," said Senior Airman James Rifilato, an electrical and environmental engineer with the squadron who returned Monday. "Turkey just won't let us."

"He's been deployed too many times to count," Ryan Tallent said, holding a video camera and constantly looking up to see if his father's F-15C was taxiing in. "He's been gone four months and four days. I'm just glad he's coming home -- just in time for soccer season. He missed Christmas, Valentine's Day, New Year's Eve and basketball season."

Ryan will graduate from York High School next year and plans to follow in his father's foot steps by attending the Air Force Academy, then flight school.

"But I want to fly an F-22," he said. "The F-22 is replacing the F-15."

Lori Powell, 32, stood on the flight line like a nervous 16-year-old waiting for her husband, Capt. Calvin "PT" Powell.

"You get nervous," she said. "It's like a first date all over again."

Emotions and the joy of being home aside, Lori knows coming home is somewhat bittersweet for Calvin. She said that for him, not being able to fly is hard.

"It's good to be home," said Maj. John "Snag" Mihaly. "But there are lots of people from this area that aren't home, and it's not a good feeling to leave your brothers in arms."

Stephanie Heinatz can be reached at 247-4760 or by e-mail at sheinatz@dailypress.com